We were told in January that the Princess of Wales would be unable to attend the St. Patrick’s Day parade at the Irish Guards’ barracks. Kate was given the honorary military patronage with the Irish Guards last year, having taken it over from William (who was then given a military patronage with the Welsh Guards). For over a decade, Kate’s job was merely to wear green, go to the parade and pin some shamrocks on Seamus, the Irish Guards’ wolfhound mascot. This year, instead of attending the parade, “Kate” was seen speed walking out of the Windsor Farm Store and apparently attending her kids’ sporting event. There were too few people asking: but what about the St. Patrick’s Day parade, we thought she was still recovering?? But apparently she didn’t forget about the Irish Guards after all. Per the Ephraim Hardcastle column in the Mail:
Recuperating Kate, unable to raise a Guinness toast on St Patrick’s Day as colonel of the Irish Guards, ensured her favourite soldiers were well refreshed at her expense. To their delight she put £2,000 behind the regimental bar at Aldershot for a party after the traditional parade.
My abacus calculates that with subsidised club prices the thirsty troopers were treated to at least 700 pints of the black stuff. And did she specify that regimental mascot Seamus, the Irish wolfhound, should be treated to a jumbo bone?
If it happened, it was a classy move from an absent-and-speed-walking princess. I wonder who actually put the money down, because I doubt Kate remembered. One thing I also wondered was… why didn’t William step in for his wife? He’s been playing this “sympathetic husband, caring for his ill wife” card for months, but clearly, Kate is feeling much better now (at least that’s what they want people to believe). So, William genuinely could have stepped in with his old patronage, on behalf of his wife, and attended the parade and said “Kate would have loved to be here, she wanted me to buy everyone a round.” Alas, these people can’t problem-solve their way out of a wet paper bag.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid and Cover Images.
ALDERSHOT, ENGLAND – MARCH 17: Catherine, Princess of Wales meets with members of the Irish Guards and enjoys a glass of Guinness during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks on March 17, 2023 in Aldershot, England. Catherine, Princess of Wales attends the parade for the first time as Colonel of the Regiment succeeding The Prince of Wales, the outgoing Colonel.,Image: 763503510, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon 
Aldershot, UNITED KINGDOM – The Prince and Princess of Wales – Prince William and Catherine – Kate Middleton to attend the St.Patrick’s Day Parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot, UK. The Prince of Wales, outgoing Colonel, Irish Guards, will be accompanied by The Princess of Wales, incoming Colonel, to visit the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Pictured: Catherine – Kate Middleton BACKGRID USA 17 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* 
Aldershot, UNITED KINGDOM – The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Irish Guards in Aldershot for St Patrick’s Day. Pictured: Catherine – Kate Middleton BACKGRID USA 17 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
Aldershot, UNITED KINGDOM – The Prince and Princess of Wales visit the Irish Guards in Aldershot for St Patrick’s Day. Pictured: Catherine – Kate Middleton BACKGRID USA 17 MARCH 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication* 
The Prince and Princess of Wales during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William Where: Aldershot, United Kingdom When: 17 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
The Princess of Wales speaks on stage with the Prince of Wales during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William Where: Aldershot, United Kingdom When: 17 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Princess of Wales meets members of the Irish Guards and enjoys a glass of Guinness during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Aldershot, United Kingdom When: 17 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
The Prince and Princess of Wales enjoy a glass of Guinness during a visit to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards for the St Patrick’s Day Parade, at Mons Barracks in Aldershot. Featuring: Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William Where: Aldershot, United Kingdom When: 17 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit the Irish Guards at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Aldershot. Featuring: Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales Where: Aldershot, United Kingdom When: 17 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW5jaX9xe8%2BroKeblajAoLfArZyYqKWprHN8j2mWm52Ynrulq9OhnJiqlZy2rrHNrZill5KWv6CyzquWraCVlLaztdKhlqCtkaextHs%3D